top of page
Elenita
Me and my twin sister
First pic of me

In 1980 I was born in Bogotá, Colombia and 8 months later was adopted to the United States where I grew up into an Italian American family. I completed my undergraduate degree at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA with a degree in Social Work. After that I received a Master’s degree in Social Work from Monmouth University with a focus in International and Community Development. My 13 years or so of Social Work experience has been primarily working with children, youth, and families in the foster care system in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, and then in the public schools of Washington, DC as a school social worker.  I served as a Peace Corp Volunteer in the Youth and family sector in the Dominican Republic from 2005-07. 

 

I first learned of my biological family around 2008 after a personal contact was able to locate my biological family. I didn’t meet them until 2012 however as I was not emotionally prepared yet for that encounter or any contact at all. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to meet my biological mother as she died before I was able to establish a connection with my biological family.  In October 2016 I decided to move to Bogotá, Colombia not knowing for how long or what would come of it and continue to live in Bogotá at this time.

It has been a challenging but rewarding journey with many tears, uncertainty, confusion, healing, learning, and self growth above anything else.  I spent around eight years in therapy to address common adoption themes/wounds around abandonment, attachment, separation anxiety, and grief and loss. I would not have changed how anything occurred as it has helped me be where I am today to maintain and create the relationships that are important to me in the present moment.

 My hope is to share what I have learned not only from my social work profession but also from my personal experience as an international adult adoptee who has come full circle to be able to support and guide others in their process and that are thinking about locating their biological families. I am bilingual and bicultural and have knowledge navigating the various public entities related to a search.Thank you for visiting the website. I hope you find it helpful and if and/or when you are ready I will follow your lead and pace.  Please feel free to contact me at the email address provided if you have any questions :)

bottom of page